President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to roll out a general amnesty covering unpaid contributions of employers and self-employed members, offering relief to those burdened by years of missed payments.
In a video message released Thursday, the President directed PhilHealth to implement a one-time waiver of interest and penalties in 2026, allowing affected members to pay only the principal amount of their unpaid contributions.
The amnesty will cover missed contributions from 2013 to 2024, with employers given one year to fully settle their obligations.
Marcos said the measure could benefit around 300,000 members and employers, noting that the monthly three-percent PhilHealth contribution has become a heavy expense, especially for small businesses and self-employed workers facing rising costs.
Beyond clearing arrears, the President also urged employers to update employee records and enroll workers under PhilHealth’s Yakap (Yaman ng Kalusugan) Program, aimed at improving compliance and expanding healthcare coverage nationwide.